12,000 Attend La Laguna’s Baile de Magos Amid World Cup Celebrations

The recent Baile de Magos in San Cristóbal de La Laguna has cemented its status as one of the Canary Islands' most important festivals. According to local police, over 12,000 people attended this year’s event, which featured a unique mix of traditional folklore and modern sports as it coincided with the Spain vs. Belgium World Cup quarter-final.

To accommodate fans, the local council installed three giant screens near the 670 tables set up for the public. For the first part of the evening, the focus shifted from traditional isas and folías to the excitement of the match. Once the game ended, the focus returned to culture, with live music filling the historic center, including the area around the La Concepción tower and Calle Marqués de Celada.

Mayor Luis Yeray Gutiérrez noted that the festival has grown beyond a local event to become a regional highlight. Dailos González, the Councilor for Festivities, praised the hard work of the local associations, folk groups, and residents who helped organize the celebration. The musical lineup featured performances by groups such as Guantejina, San Borondón, Aguaribay, Princesa Iraya, and El Chirato, alongside orchestras like Maquinaria, Tropin, Sabrosa, Cuevas de Lino, Los Muchachos, and La Cirila.

Security teams—including the Local Police, National Police, Canary Islands Police, Civil Guard, and Civil Protection—ensured the event remained incident-free. This celebration serves as the start of a busy weekend for the city, which includes the Children’s Baile de Magos, the 8 Islas Festival, a parade for senior citizens, and the Regional Pilgrimage of San Benito Abad. The success of the gathering highlights both the strength of local traditions and the city's ability to host large-scale celebrations.